Sunday, December 20, 2009

Microsoft Makes New Concessions to Settle Browser Case "Microsoft has agreed to reconfigure its Windows operating system in Europe to address two main complaints from rival Internet browser makers, a concession that could lead to the settlement of its latest antitrust case before the European Commission.A person familiar with the commission’s plans said Microsoft had agreed to change the display of a ballot screen that European Union consumers would use to automatically download an Internet browser for their Windows-based computers.Microsoft has agreed to randomly generate the logos of the major browser makers on the ballot screen, as well as to remove the Windows Internet Explorer logo from the screen frame, said the person, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the plan.The changes were requested by Opera, a Norwegian browser maker, Mozilla and Google as preconditions to closing the case before European officials. Rival browser makers had been upset that Microsoft had planned to list the browser choices alphabetically, giving Apple’s Safari browser an advantage."